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Person with diabetesBorn in Birmingham in 1928.
Diagnosed Type 2 in Birmingham in 1960
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Overview:
June Hill had never eaten much sweet food and had always had plenty of exercise so her diagnosis brought little change and had no effect on her career as a teacher and then a nurse. She went on tablets in 1983, and was put on insulin in 1995, when she had a serious illness unconnected with diabetes. She took no interest in her own diabetes for many years until her diabetic mother became housebound. Then she began to inform herself about long-term implications. She is very fit and is enjoying her retirement.
There is also an interview with June Hill`s husband, Tony Hill
Please note that Overview relates to date of recording Friday, October 1, 2004
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1 Her diabetes was diagnosed by accident, after she’d been in hospital for a minor operation. A nurse told her that there was glucose in her blood and her urine, and that she should go to see her GP [ 58 secs ] |  | 2 From 2003 her intake of insulin dropped considerably and she attributed this to her use of “magnetic water” which she began drinking in the hope that it would cure her arthritis [ 60 secs ] | |
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01 Born Birmingham 1928. Father shoe shop manager. Grammar school education. Evacuation. Family diabetes.
Wanted to nurse. Trained as teacher to please mother. Met husband end of war. | |
| 02 Taught primary, then older slow learners.
Diagnosis: D & C in Lichfield. Nurse said see GP re glucose. GP sent me to Birmingham for tests. GP said diabetes marginal. Diet sheet of red & green points… | |
| 03 …1962. (Medical notes say 1960). I’d never eaten much sweet. Didn’t keep to strict diet.
Son born 1959. Returned to work when he was 5.
Mother didn’t diet; hated diabetic chocolates; on tablets until she died aged 88.
I thought GP wonderful but he was ignorant. No advice on exercise. I’ve always exercised. | |
| | 04 Went on tablets c.1983. Didn’t affect me, but mother housebound for last 10 years. Wanted to avoid that: began to read re long-term implications. | |
| 05 Husband became knowledgeable. Joined Diabetes UK.
Moved to Oxford 1982. Started nurse training at John Radcliffe Went to JR diabetes clinic – lots more information. Took job at Churchill. Diabetes clinic at old Radcliffe – lots more checking. | |
| 06 Nothing tested before. Staff at Radcliffe good, but never saw same person. A good doctor made me feel a person. Nurses did tests.
JR colleagues didn’t notice diabetes. Churchill boss concerned. | |
| | 07 Went on stronger tablet 1994. Warned I might need insulin. 1995, suddenly went yellow. Admitted to JR. | |
| | 08 Jaundice. No cause found. Put on insulin. Hadn’t realised diabetics should test blood. First time exercise mentioned. Was booked in for liver transplant in Birmingham, but allowed home. Nurses visited but didn’t test blood. | |
| 09 Consultant said can’t leave for Birmingham without blood test. Found bilirubin hadn’t gone up. Went home, nurses checked blood, bilirubin fell to normal: miracle.
Nurses increased insulin – caused hypos. Radcliffe clinic said dose too high. Became more conscious of diabetes.
Used glucose monitor. | |
| 10 Went to clinic often. Dietician suggested snacks for lack of appetite. Nurses shouldn’t have increased insulin.
Insulatard morning, Human Mixtard in eve. Began exercise after 9 months lying down & hurt back. Exercise affected dosage – lower. | |
| | 11 Blood pressure treatment. This year, macular degeneration – unconnected with diabetes. Only see with one eye. Manage well. | |
| | 12 This year diabetes fine, but bad arthritis. Heard arthritis cured by “magnetic water”. Ordered “magnetic wand” over internet, put it in water & drank. Didn’t cure arthritis but insulin dosage went down. | |
| 13 People know more re diabetes.
For c. 20 years, just mentioned it to GP. Now attend clinic regularly. Treatment better.
Diabetes hasn’t prevented teaching, having son, nursing. Advice: get information. | |
| | 14 Clinic waiting times longer. Always different doctor. Specialist nurses do more. | |
| 15 At first husband uninvolved, now very involved. I have hypo warnings.
We’re busy, I’m well, diabetes no bother, just routine. | |
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